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* UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. J 



THE 

GAME COCK: 

BEING A 

PEACTICAL TKEATISE 



OK 



BREEDING, REARING, TRAINING, FEED 

ING, TRIMMING, MAINS, HEELING, 

SPURS, ETC., ETC., ETC. 

TOGETHER WITH AN 

EXPOSURE OF COCKERS' TRICKS. 

THE 

ORIGIN AND CURE OF DISEASES; 

AND THE EEVISED 

COOKING RULES 

GOVERNING ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD 

BY 

ED. JAMES. .^ 



M 

PUBLISHED BY 
ED. JAMES, 88 AND 90 CENTRE STREET, N. Yi 

NEW YORK CLIPPER BUILDING. 



«J3 



Entered according to act of Comrress, in the year 1873, 

BY ED. JAMES. 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



M. T. TYLER, Prihter, 
8 and J» Centre street. New York. 



PREFACE. 



In the publication of this little work on the Game 
Cock, the compiler, from long experience as a sporting 
journalist, feels that he is giving to the breeders and 
fanciers of Games a book which they stand greatly in 
need of. It has been prepared with great care and at- 
tention to all the minor details, as well as the more im- 
portant ones, and written so as to be easily understood 
and practicable. Being assisted by the leading cocking 
celebrities of this section, it is hoped and believed this 
treatise will be found adapted to all emergencies of the 
lovers of the beautiful and valiant bird known as the 
"Game Cock." Containing as it does the Standard 
Rules governing Cocking throughout the United States, 
Canada and Great Britain, carefully revised, together 
with a reliable course of treatment for all diseases in- 
cident to Game Fowls, this work should be in the hands 
of all interested in Cocking. 



CONTENTS. 



Origin and History of the Game Fowl 7 

Form and Properties of a Fighting Cock 8 

Some of the different Breeds of Fowl 9 

Breeding 11 

Training for the Pit 13 

Mode of Trimming 15 

Directions for Heeling 16 

About Mains 17 

Form of Articles 18 

English General Laws of Cocking 19 

Cockers' Tricks Exposed 21 

A few Hints on Spurs 24 

Origin of Diseases 26 

DISEASES AND THEIR CURE. 

Roup 27 

Cholera 27 

Pip or Gapes 28 

Rheumatism or Lifts 28 

Gout 28 

Club Foot 28 

Inflammation of the Eye 29 

Indigestion 29 

Costiveness 29 

Diarrhoea 29 

Obstructions of the Nostril 30 

Canker 30 

Asthma 30 

Melancholy 30 

Fever 30 

Consumption 30 

Limed Legs 31 

Chicken Pox 31 

Moulting 31 

Loss of Feather 31 

COCKING RULES. 

New York 33 

Albany 35 

Western New York 36 

Boston 37 

Baltimore 38 

Virginia or Southern 39 

New Orleans 41 

Detroit 42 

San Francisco 43 

Canadian 44 



THE GAME COCK. 



ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE GAME FOWL. 



The Game Cock is vulgarly imagined to be the off- 
spring of the domesticated fowl and the pheasant. This 
idea is, however, not at all assented to by ornithologists, 
or the amateurs of the art of eocking. On more sure 
ground3 its origin is referred to the wild cock of India, 
where he is occasionally seen in his wild state in the 
woods, and at the isles of St. Iago, Pulocondore, Timor, 
Philippine and Mollucca islands, Sumatra, Java, New 
Guinea, Tinian, and the isles of the south seas. At 
Sumatra and Java they are noticed as being particularly 
large. Pliny, the historian, tells us thakcock fighting was 
annually practiced at Pergamus, a city in Asia. The 
Athenians practised it at an annual festival, in the time 
of the great general, Themistocles, who encourged his 
soldiers to acts of bravery by admonishing them to imi- 
tate the example of the cock. Chalcis and Eubcea were 
famous for their superior breed of cocks; they were large, 
and such as our sportsmen call shake bags or turn-outs. 
At Alexandria, in Egypt, they had a breed of hens which 
produced the best fighting cocks. The Romans were bet- 
ter acquainted with quails as fighting birds than with 
cocks. It is considered, however, that they were the first 
to introduce the practice in England, though the bird was 
there before Caesar's arrival. Cocking was much en- 
couraged by Henry VHE, who founded the celebrated 
national cockpit at Westminster, afterwards renewed and 
encouraged by Charles II, who first introduced the breed 
of pile cocks, which for many years was held in such estK 
mation, and by many much liked to this day. 

In Cuba, Mexico, San Domingo and nearly all tropical 



8 THE GAME COCK. 

climates, cock fighting is one of the institutions of the 
land. The Indian's idea of paradise, says a celebrated 
author, is one vast cockpit; you never see the natives in 
their full glory, but here the very Celestials are bitten 
with the mania, and back their birds against anybody's. 
The sport only takes place on Sundays and high days. 
The betting is a perfect mania, but, to their praise be it 
said, they are most honorable in paying what they have 
lost. The cock's spurs are sharp as razors, and often one 
or the other falls dead at first start. Should a cock show 
any timidity, the niggers yell in the most frantic manner; 
and, as there is always an unfortunate white feather 
among the fowl, the above sound often fills the air on 
Sunday afternoons. The match commences by two fel- 
lows starting the cocks and getting their steam up. As 
soon as No. 1 has beaten No. 2 there is a short rest, and 
the next couple come on. This lasts till dusk, when "all 
creation" may be seen coming out with dead and living 
cocks; the village dominie is often a sportsman, and, after 
instructing the interesting little natives in the way they 
should go in the morning, in the afternoon he teaches the 
cocks the way they should fight. On Sunday morning 
he dons his clerical costume and exhorts his hearers, who 
fill the church to overflowing. On Sunday afternoon he 
exhorts his rooster and bets like any other mortal, sur- 
rounded by his admiring assembly. 



FORM AND PROPERTIES OF A FIGHTING COCK. 

Having described the natural origin of this race of 
birds and the history of the sport, we now proceed to 
consider the general form and properties of the fighting 
cock when in his greatest perfection, according to the 
ideas now entertained. A good cock has eyes sparkling 
with fire, boldness in Ins demeanor, and freedom in his 
motions, and displays force in all his proportions. The 
general outline of the finest cock, taken as a whole, ap- 
proaches that of a lengthened cone or sugar loaf shape, 
excluding the legs and tail, the apex of the cone being 
the head and the base the vent and belly; under such ex- 
ternal form may exist the best properties of the cock. In 



THE GAME COCK. 9 

describing the beauties of particular parts, the head 
should be small, the beak strong and pointed, the neck 
long and strong, the girth of the shoulders, chest and 
body broad, feeling broad to the grasp, and tapering 
again to the rump; the thighs and legs large and strong, 
and rather long than short; with broad, thin feet, and 
very long claws, a stately walk, and an upright, easy car- 
riage, the wings not lying close on his back, but rather 
extended. It is considered a good point if he brings his 
legs close up to his body when held in the hand, instead 
of letting them hang loosely down. It is a great prop- 
erty in a cock to be what is termed corky; that is, a cock 
which, for its size, weighs light, haying light flesh, and 
light in the bone, though strong; they have a great ad- 
vantage over lumpy cocks, which are heavy fleshed. A 
sound cock will crow clear, having a clear, shining 
feather, short, hard, and difficult to pluck from his body; 
his face red, for if pale he is unhealthy. A good cock 
should fight at any part of the body, and should carry a 
fatal spur, or, in other words, hit weh with his weapon. 
Their actions should be quick, without hurrying, and 
rapid, but cautious. 



SOME OF THE DIFFERENT BREEDS OF FOWL. 

The feathers afford a good criterion for judging of the 
soundness of the bird; where they lie close to the skin 
and compacted together, feel short and stiff to the touch, 
and shining and glossy in their exterior, such is deemed a 
sound feathered bird. The colors most admired are the 
"reds" and the 'duck wings." By the red, among cock- 
ers, is understood a cock with a hackle (that is, the 
feathers of the head and neck) red, with the feathers of 
jthe rump and saddle to correspond. The red cock varies 
with a black breast and ginger wing; that is, of a ginger- 
bread color, or with a black breast and dark wing; such 
are "dark reds." The "light reds" are those whose 
breasts are wholly red, or red spotted with black, or black 
streaked with red, and these receive their names accord- 
ing to these circumstances, as ginger breasted, spotted 
breasted, etc. The "duck wing" cock derives his name 
from a bar of steel blue across the greater coverts, like 



10 THE GAME COCK. 

the fascia across the wild duck's wing. In this case it is 
observed that the secondaries are exteriorly white; the 
hackle and saddle are also nearly the same color, or pale 
yellow, or cream colored; their breasts may be black, 
streaked or spotted; the shoulder may be tawny, dark red, 
or birchen, or silver shouldered, from which colors they 
receive their distinctions. The yellow cock is merely a 
variety of the "duck wing," from which it differs only in 
having the secondary feathers, or those next the flight, 
dark instead of white; the blue bar in these cocks some- 
times varies to a light brown. The next color to be no- 
ticed is the "dun." These cocks are in reality of a lead, 
or slate color, and may be wholly so, or "duck wing," with 
the breast, flight and tail dun, or a yellow dun; that is, 
a yellow cock with a dun breast, flight and tail. By 
flight feathers are meant the strongest feathers of the wing 
farthest from the body of the cock when the wing is ex- 
tended. The "red duns" are red cocks with dun breast, 
flight and tail. White cocks are either wholly white, and 
ara called "smocks," or with red shoulders, and are called 
"piles;" when these are streaked with any other color in 
the hackle, breast, ramp or tail, they are termed "streaky 
piles." If the pile cocks have a mixture of dun on the 
breast or shoulders, they are called "dun piles." Another 
variety of this breed is the "cuckoo," which is rare; he is 
white, with the feathers variegated promiscuously, or 
barred with black, yellow or red. The "spangle" is also 
rare; he is red, tipped with white spots, or white and 
black. "Hennies" have the natural propensities of the 
cock, but are so called from having the hackle, tail and 
wing 1 more like the hen. When any colored fowl has the 
shoulder mixed with black he is called "beezy" shoulders, 
probably from the French word bis, black or dusky. The 
color of the legs should also be noticed; these are either 
yellow, black, white, blue, olive or dark green, willow or 
light green, or carp legged, which is a mixture of black 
and yellow. The beaks in general correspond with the 
color of the legs. The color of the eyes is also noticed in 
the match bill; the red or ferret eye (the iris being red), 
the pale yellow or daw eye, the dark brown or sloe eye. 

Breeding for pit purposes and breeding for poultry 
shows are widely different, and in the latter respect only 
color and plumage count, as birds of the finest external 
appearance may, when they have to face the steels, turn 
out to be " bolters," whereas the les3 gaudily caparisoned 



THE GAME COCK. 11 

I 
cock, bred for the pit only, irrespective of color, generally 
fights to the death. 



BKEEDING. 

A well tried breed of cocks, which have generally gained 
the odd battle when equally matched, being obtained, con- 
sider them the stock to breed from; the nearer their 
colors, the more kindly they will unite. Never breed from 
two old fowls ; let one at least be young ; be also thor- 
oughly convinced that the cock is quite sound, by attend- 
ing to his mode of feeding. Should he eat corn enough to 
make his crop very hard, and digest the same speedily, 
that is as sure a token his constitution is good, so that it 
is rotten when he eats but little, and has besides a bad 
digestion. To be still more sure, try also by running him 
down in a field, and sparring with another cock, at either 
of which, if he is unsound, he will turn black in the face. 
Try the hens in like manner. Three or four hens are 
enough for one cock. Let them be sisters if possible. 
The breeding place should jbe well aired, and entirely free 
from other fowl, lest the hens should be trod by other 
cocks. Clear water, grass, gravel, and lime rubbish, and 
an occasional change of f ood, is good — as barley, oats, po- 
tatoes, a little meat, toast and ale, etc. The roosts should 
be rather low, as the heavy fowls otherwise would, in de- 
scending, cripple themselves. The perches should be ex- 
actly suited to the grasp of the foot. The keeping of 
pigs, ducks, or allowing the fowl access to coal ashes or 
soap suds, produces the roop. There should be no geese 
or turkeys at the walk, as they are always battering the 
fowls. The nests should be made of clean, dry straw, 
rubbed soft between the hands, and put in a basket, earth- 
en pan, or some such dish, and about a foot and a half 
from the ground. Hay is injurious to the eggs, faint in 
the smell, and is apt to engender vermin. There should 
be more nests than hens, as it will prevent them quarrel- 
ing and breaking the eggs. One egg should always be 
marked with ink, and left in the nest for them to lay to, 
that you may know it from the others. As the eggs are 
laid, take them from the nest, mark and put them in bran, 
with the small end downwards. When a hen begins to 



12 THE GAME COCK. 

• 
cluck, do not save any more of her eggs for setting. If a 
cock dislikes any of the hens, she should be removed. 
About a dozen eggs are enough for a clutch. As the 
hen hatches the young, they may be taken and put 
in flannel, in a basket near the fire, till tho last is 
hatched, feeding them three times a day till they re- 
join their mother on crumbs of bread, hard boiled 
eggs, chopped raw meat, grits, etc. ; and when returned 
to the mother, do it by night, when she is on the nest, 
otherwise she might fancy them strangers, and destroy 
them. They should then be conveyed to a dry place, 
where there are neither cats nor vermin, and for ten or 
twelve days the hen should be cooped, to prevent her 
from wandering and fatiguing the chickens; they should 
have clean water, fresh every day. At about eix weeks 
old, when their sexes can be distinguished, select those 
which are to be kept, and destroy the rest, that the re- 
maining ones may thrive the better by getting the whole 
attention of tho mother. Those chickens are of little 
value that are hatched later than May; and those hatched 
before the end of March are often cramped by cold; such 
as are later than the beginning of June never run cocka so 
high upon leg, light fleshed, or large boned. Cut the 
young cocks' combs at the age of four months, and about 
five or six weeks afterward their gills and deaf ears. The 
young cocks should be marked with scissors, by slitting 
part of the web of the foot, or cutting a small notch in 
the nostril, or punching a small hole in the web of the 
foot with a shoemaker's punch. Some do so to the web 
of the wing nearest the shoulder; others take a small 
notch out of the upper eyelid, by laying the scissors flat 
to the side of the head, and cutting out a very small piece 
of the lid. A clear air, good food and pure water, with 
perfect exclusion from other fowls, constitute the best 
walk, where, as before mentioned, they can obtain grass 
and gravel. At about a twelvemonth old they are called 
stags and two years old they are termed cocks. The 
short legged, or worst of your stags, should be tried 
against a good cock, to enable you to judge of the quali- 
ties of the remaining ones; for if he should beat the cock, 
there is every reason to consider the others good. Short 
spurs are best for this purpose. 

It is always a sign of a hen being in good health, and 
clean fed, if the yolk of her egg, when boiled, is of a pale 
yellow; when of a dark red, the reverse. Chickens are 



THE GAME COCK. 13 

composed of the tread and white of the egg, as the yolk 
comes to the world with them in their inside, on which 
they chiefly subsist, till they gain sufficient strength to 
follow their mother; for the first thing a hen gives her 
chickens is the small chips of broken shell out of which 
they come, which cut the yolk in their inside, and thereby 
promote digestion. 

Fowls that once had the roop can never be entirely re- 
lied on as being either sound enough to breed from, or to 
fight. 



TBAINING FOE THE PIT. 

Suppose that the fowl comes from his walk in good 
condition, in which case he will be too fat for fighting, he 
must be reduced to give him wind. The general method 
of training is as follows: — First, cut his tail and spurs 
short and put him in the pens; no food the first day. 

Second day, give him cream of tartar, or jalap or both 
united, about 6 or 8 grains, mixed with fresh butter and 
rock candy. Immediately after he gets the physic, tie on 
the hots, or muffles, and spar him with another cock on a 
straw or grass plat, till he gets fatigued; then return him 
to his pen; but if his mouth has been pecked, rub it with 
a little vinegar and good brandy mixed, to prevent it from 
cankering. Then give him a warm mess, to work off his 
physic, which you must make of bread and milk and a 
little rock candy, or ale and bread and rock candy, giving 
him a large tea cup full; when he gets this, shut him up 
till next morning. If cold weather, cover him up with a 
blanket, or keep fire in the room; if warm, clip him out; 
also keep him dark, by shutting the windows always, ex- 
cept at feeding times. Weigh them the third day when 
empty, and the moment they are weighed let them begin 
to feed. 

Third day, clean out his pen -from the effects of the 
physic, giving clean, dry straw; also, wash his legs, feet 
and face, before putting him among this clean straw. He 
is next to be allowed some cock bread, made of the follow- 
ing ingredients:: — About three pounds of fine flour and 
two eggs, and four whites of eggs, and a little yeast, 
kneaded with a proper quantity of water, and have it, 



U THE GAME COCK. 

well baked in an oven; to which you may add a small 
number of aniseeds or a little cinnamon; cut this in small 
pieces, give one cup full in the morning, and one in the 
evening, allowing no water the third day with the above 
bread. 

Fourth morning, he should have half a teacup full of 
good barley and a little water, in which a piece of toast 
has been steeped; having eaten this, clean his pen and 
give new straw, leaving his pen uncovered about an hour, 
to allow him to scratch himself. The barley should be 
hard chaffed, to take away the sharp points; in the after- 
noon, the same quantity of barley, but no water. 

Fifth day, bread as before, in three quantities, but no 
water. 

Sixth day, bread early in the morning, and towards 
the afternoon a good feed of barley and water. Some 
feeders give sheep's heart, cut small, both this and the 
succeeding day, mixed with the other food. 

Seventh day, a feed of barley early in the morning; in 
the afternoon, bread and the white of an egg boiled hard, 
allowing him also a little water. 

Eighth day, or day of fighting, allow him about 40 
grains of barley, and one or two mouthsfull of writer 
from a toast, apple or cheese, for digesting; hemp seed, 
steeped in brandy, prevents purging. Wheat or millet 
seed may be added to his food, sometimes hemp seed as 
a smali mixture. Bread toast, soaked in vinegar, is some- 
times given for reducing quickly. 

The following is another method of preparing cocks for 
battle: — After cautiously examining whether the cocks 
are sound and hard-feathered, keep them in separate 
pens, with moveable perches within; keep the pens pecu- 
liarly clean, and feed them with the crumb of stale bread 
cut into square pieces, giving each a handful at sunrise, 
noon and sunset, with cool spring water for drink; after 
thus feeding for four or five days, let them spar some 
morning with one another in a room covered with straw, 
or on a grass plot, first guarding their heels with mufflers; 
let them spar some time, but not so far as to draw blood. 
"When they pant and appear faint, give to each about the 
size of a walnut of white rock candy, rosemary chopped, 
and butter, m'xed together; this will increase their 
strength, cleanse them, and render them long-winded; 
immediate! i i, put them into separate bags or 

baskets half iiiied with straw, then cover them with the 



THE GAME COCK. 15 

same material, and make them fast, in order that the 
cocks may sweat till evening; at night take them out, lick 
, their eyes and head all over -with the tongue, fill their 
throats with stale bread, and pour warm urine therein, 
which will cleanse both their heads and bodies. Exercise 
by commencing with 25 flies, and increase daily till you 
have reached about 300, and diet them with stale bread 
and whites of eggs regularly, one day sparring or flying, 
and the other feeding and resting, with now and then 
the scouring, fcr about a fortnight previous to the battle. 
The muffles or gloves should be made of chamois 
leather, about the size of a small egg, stuffed with wad- 
ding, wool or curled hair, with a string at the opening, to 
draw it together. Put this bag over the natural heel, 
draw it together and tie around the leg. Then spar your 
fowl with these on them. When you wish to test the 
gameness of a fowl place a cork over the steel spur, leav- 
ing the point exposed, so that it will prick the bird suf- 
ficient to try gameness, but not so as to inflict severe in- 
jury. 



MODE OF TBIMMING. 

After having tied your fowl's legs with a handkerchief 
or a piece of soft string, place him on your lap, with bis 
legs between your knees, and his head toward yourself; 
then, collecting all his neck feathers together, apply your 
forefinger and thumb in a circular form to that part of 
the neck next the shoulder of the cock, and press forward 
the whole of his neck feathers as close round his head as 
possible; they will then appear like an erect frill round his 
head; to which apply a long and sharp pair of scissors as 
close to your finger and thumb as possible all round, and 
then take off the surface of the remaining ones next the 
head, but not too bare; in fact, it is performed on the 
same principle as hair cutting; for the feathers are short- 
ened by being cut when turned the contrary way to that 
in which they naturally lie. Next cut about two inches 
off the ends of both his wings, at the same time making 
the flight feathers decrease in length a quarter of an inch 
in proportion to the others, leaving the flight feathers 
farthest from his body the shortest, which should be at 



16 THE GAME COCK. 

least three inches from its insertion in the wing. Then 
cut the tail, leaving it a large hand's breadth from its in- 
sertion in the rump outwards, taking off all the curling^ 
feathers round it, leaving only the vane or fan. "When his 
tail is perfectly erect apply the scissors (with their point 
inclining a little downward) to the saddle, cutting from a 
line with the lower feathers of the tail toward the end 
of the wing; some in trimming cut out a great quantity 
of the soft feathers from under the saddle, to keep the 
cocks cool. All the feathers round the vent are cut off 
very close from under the tail to three or four inches to- 
ward the breast between the legs. His spurs are cut off 
with a thin saw, leaving about a quarter of an inch on 
the leg, on which is fixed the steel spur; sometimes, when 
the spur is so sawed off, blood will issue from it, which 
may be stopped immediately by rubbing a piece of chalk 
firmly into it, or applying a hot iron. 



DIRECTIONS FOR HEELING. 

In tieing on the spur, take a piece of soft, thin brown 
paper, and, having folded it two or three times, and hav- 
ing dampened it a little with the tongue, wrap it around 
the remaining quarter of an inch of his natural heel as 
often as you think there will be room in the socket of the 
steel spur to contain it and the natural spur together; 
then place the steel spur on the natural spur, pressing 
the socket close to the leg, observing at the same time 
that the curved part of the spur is next the foot, and the 
hollow side upwards, or, in other words, the point inclin- 
ing upwards; it should stand much in the- same, direc- 
tion with the natural spur; or, if you take a view from 
the point to the eocket, the point should then appear on 
a line with the hollow of the inside of the leg; then lap 
the leather ends over each other, and tie them down with 
a piece of waxed string about the thickness of a shoe- 
maker's thread, beginning with the middle of the thread 
on the socket of the spur, close to the spur, going round 
the leather close to the socket on both sides with the 
string as often as is necessary for security; this should 
neither be too tight to cramp him, nor so loose as to 



THE GAME COCK. 17 

come off; for should it come off during the battle, or 
break, it is not allowed to be replaced. A fair spur 
should be round and smooth from the socket to the point; 
if flat on any side, or rough, it is foul and improper. 

The subjoined is another method of heeling: — Let your . 
fowl be held by a competent person; let him be held so 
that the inside of the leg is perfectly level, then take your 
thumb and forefinger and work the back toe of the fowl. 
"While doing this you will see the leader of the leg rise 
and fall at the upper joint. You will set the right spur 
on a line with the outside of the leader, at the upper joint 
of the leg; and the left spur you will set on a line with the 
inside of the leader, at the upper joint. Be careful not to 
set the spur too far in, as it would cause the cock to cut 
himself. As a general rule for a young beginner, he had 
better set the right spur on a line with the outside of the 
leg, opposite to the upper joint; and the left spur on a 
line with the outside of the leader of the upper joint. 
Cover the spur with a piece of damp paper, or very soft 
buckskin, so as to get the socket of the spur to fit tightly, 
and to prevent its turning or shifting. When you have 
the spur arranged properly, tie it with good wax ends, but 
not so tight as to cramp the legs or toes of the fowls. 



ABOUT MAINS. 

There are three kinds of mains, or matches, at present 
in use among cockers. The long main, which generally 
continues for a week; the short main of a day or two 
(both regulated by the same laws), and the Welsh main. 
In the long main the cocks are generally the property of 
a joint subscription, or of only two individuals, and the 
cocks thus collected are chosen for the main according to 
their weights, those being preferred, as a medium weight, 
from three pounds eight ounces to four pounds ten 
ounces, giving or taking an ounce on either side, though 
they are generally matched to a drachm weight. The 
cocks which form t&e bye battles of the main become the 
objects of separate betting, and are subject to the same 
regulations. Cocks which weigh above four pounds ten 
ounces are termed turn out, and are never matched by 



18 THE GAME COCK. 

weight, as when they weigh above that they are reckoned 
fit to contend with any one. 

The short main lasts only for a day or two, the cocks 
being fewer in number, or the numbers are doubled for 
each day. 

The Welsh main is generally fought for a purse, or 
prize. In this main all the fowls are restricted to a cer- 
tain weight, viz., about four pounds four ounces; these 
are matched according as shall be agreed upon, the win- 
ners again taking the winners till they are reduced to the 
last pair, when the winner of the last battle gains the 
prize. Besides this, there is to be noticed the battle 
royal, which consists of a number of fowls being put down 
together at the same time in the pit, and the last survivor 
gains the prize — a practice known nowhere but in Eng- 
land. 

In fighting a regular main they always commence with 
the lightest cocks, as they can be first prepared, and the 
heaviest ones, that have been most reduced by this means, 
gain time to recover their strength and be brought up 
again. 



FORM OF ARTICLES. 



Articles of agreement, made the clay of — — — — - 

one thousand eight hundred and , between . 

First, the said parties have agreed that each of them shall produce, 
show and weigh, at , on the day of— 



beginning, at the hour of , cocks not 

under , nor above , and as many of each 

party's cocks that come within one ounce of each other shall fight 

for a battle; that is, each cock, in as 

equal divisions as the battles can be divided into six pits, or day's 
play, at the cock-pit before mentioned, and the party's cocks that win 
the greatest number of battles, matched out of the number before 

specified, shall bo entitled to the sum of , odd battle 

money, and the sum to be staked in the bauds of Mr. , 

before any cocks are pitted, by both parties; and we further agree 

to produce, show and weigh, on the said weighing days, 

cocks for bye battles, subject to tho same weight as the cocks 

in the main, and these to be added to the number of cocks un- 
matched; and as many of them as come within one ounce of each 

other shall fight for a battle; the number of cocks so 

matched to be equally divided as will permit of, and added to each 
day's play with the main cocks; and it is also agreed that the balance 
of the battle money shall be paid at the end of each day's play ; it is 



THE GAME COCK 19 

also further agreed that the cocks fight with steel spurs, and with 
fair hackles, and to be subject to all the usual rules of cock fighting, 
and the profits arising from the spectators, called door money, to be 
equally divided between both parties, after all charges are paid that 

usually happen on these occasions. Witness our hands this 

day of 18—. 



ENGLISH GENEKAL LAWS OE COCEJNG 

It is -understood on all occasions that when the cocks are 
once pitted, the setters-to are not allowed to handle them ; 
unless they get entangled in each other, or in the mat, it 
is fair to turn them on their feet again. On no pretence 
are feathers to be removed from the beak or eyes during 
the fight. If one of the cocks is hit down during the bat- 
tle, and no longer able to fight, take the first opportunity 
(while the other is not fighting him) -of telling the "short 
law," which you do by counting, distinctly and audibly, 
"twice twenty," when they may be handled and set-to 
again. If the weakest then refuses, you begin to tell the 
"long law" of one hundred, by counting it by tens. At 
the end of each time you count ten, set them to, beak to 
beak, and if either cock refuses to fight ten times success- 
ively, he loses; but should he show fight, by pecking or 
fighting at the other, while you are counting the one hun- 
dred, you must begin with your tens again, and at the 
end of each ten you must say aloud, "once refused," 
"twice refused," &c, till he refuses ten times, when you 
may withdraw your cock and claim the battle money. 
Should both be disabled and refuse to fight before the 
"long law" begins counting, it is a drawn battle, and 
neither wins; and should both refuse fighting during the 
telling of the "long law," it is that cock's battle which 
fought last. If any one wishes to stop this telling him 
out, he may "pound him." In this case he lays down his 
hat or anything else on the pit, as* a token of the chal- 
lenge, when the "short law" is told by a person distinctly 
counting twice twenty, and afterwards repeating the 
words, "will any one take it?" three times; if no one ac- 
cepts the challenge during this "short law,"- the cock is 
beaten. It is neceseary, when any one takes the pound- 
age or bet, that he declares it, and also lays down some- 
thing on the pit as surety. If so, the cock must fight 



20 THE GAME COCK 

till death, though sometimes he unexpectedly recovers and 
wins. 

On the day cf weighing, he whose chance it is to weigh 
last is to set his cocks and number his pens, both byes 
and main, and deposit the key of the pens upon the 
weighing table (or the adversary may put a lock upon the 
door) before any cock is put into the scales; and after the 
first pack of cocks is weighed, a person appointed by him 
that weighed first shall go into the other pens to see that 
no other cocks are weighed but what are numbered and 
so set, if they are within the articles of weight that the 
match specifies; but if not, to take the following cock or 
cocks, until all the number of main and bye cocks are 
weighed through. When they are all weighed, proceed 
directly to match them, with the least weight first, and so 
on; and equal weights or nearest weights to be separated, 
if by that separation an increased number of battles can 
be made; all blanks must be filled up on the weighing 
day, and the battles struck off and divided for each day's 
play, as previously agreed on, and the cocks that weigh 
the least are to fight the first day, and so upward. 

At the time assented to by both parties, the cocks that 
are to fight the first battle are produced upon the pit by 
the feeders or their helpers; and after an examination to 
see whether they correspond with the marks and colors 
stated in the match bill, they are given to the setters-to, 
who, after chopping them in hand, give them to the mas- 
ters of the match (who always sit fronting each other), 
when they turn them down upon the mat; and by no 
means are the setters-to to touch them, except they should 
hang in the mat, in each other, or get close to the pit's 
edge, until they shall cease fighting, while a person can 
tell forty. When, both cocks leave off fighting until one 
of the setters-to, or one appointed for stating the law, 
can tell forty gradually, then the setters-to are to make 
the nearest way to their cocks, and when they have taken 
them up, to carry them into the middle of the pit, and 
directly deliver them on their legs, beak to beak, and not 
to touch them again until they have refused fighting, so 
long as the teller of the law can tell ten, unless they are 
on their backs, or hung in each other, or in the mat; then 
again they are to set-to as before, and continue it till one 
cock refuses fighting ten several times, one after another, 
when it is that cock's victory that fought within the law. 
Now and then it happens that both cocks refuse fighting 



THE GAME COCK. 21 

while the law is telling; in this case a fresh cock is to be 
hoveled, and brought forward upon the mat as soon as 

Eossible, and the setters-to are to toss up which cock is to 
e set-to first, and he that gets the chance has the choice. 
Then the other which is to be set-to last must be taken 
up, but not carried off the pit, and setting the hoveled 
cock down to the other five separate times, telling ten 
between each setting-to, and the same to the other cock; 
if one fights, and the other declines, the fighting cock has 
the battle; should both fight, or both refuse, it is a drawn 
battle. The meaning of setting-to five times to each cock 
is, that ten times setting-to being the long law, so, on 
their both refusing, the law is to be equally shared be- 
tween them. 

Deciding a battle by another way is, if any one offers 
to lay ten to one, and no one takes it until the law 
teller counts forty, and calls out three separate times: — 
"Will any one take it ?" and if no one does, it is that 
cock's battle the odds are laid on, and the setters-to are 
not to touch the cocks all the time the forty is telling, un- 
less either cock is hung in the mat, or on his back, or hung 
together. If a cock should die before the "long law" is 
told out, notwithstanding he fought in the law, and the 
other did not, he loses the battle. 

There are often disputes in setting-to in the "long law," 
for frequently both cocks refuse fighting until four or five, 
or more or less times are told; then they sometimes com- 
mence telling from that cock's fighting, and counting but 
once refused, but they should continue their counting on, 
until one cock has refused ten times; for it is for both 
cocks when the law is begun to be told; and if one cock 
fights within the "long law," and the other not, it is a bat- 
tle to the cock that fought, reckoning from the first Bet- 
ting-to. All disputes relative to bets, or the battle being 
gained or lost, must be decided by the spectators. The 
crowing and mantling of a cock, or fighting at the setter- 
to's hands before he is put to the other cock, or breaking 
from his adversary, is not allowed as a fight. 



COCKERS' TRICKS EXPOSED. 

1. The person who seconds, or sets-to the cock, may 
break his thigh with his fingers and thumb in a moment, 



22 THE GAME COCK. 

or may (by pressing his thumbs hard on his kidneys, or 
by griping him severely by the vent) cause him to lose 
the battle, though otherwise he could have won it; this 
will depend on his regard for his employer, or the under- 
standing between him and the opposite party; for if he 
thinks he can get more from them as a bribe to sell the 
fight than he expects from the person who employs him, 
he will act the above dishonorable part, and for this rea- 
son it is advisable for every person to second his own 
fowl, except there is a very good understanding indeed 
between him and the person he employs for that purpose. 

2. If the employer or his second allow the cock to go 
into the hands of any other person previous to the bat- 
tle, he may be crippled in an instant, as the person so 
handling him might have an interest in seeing him 
beaten. 

3. If one cock sticks with his spurs into the other, the 
second of the cock who has received the blow takes out the 
spur, for if this be entrusted to the other second, he has it 
in his power to wrench the spur in different directions in 
taking it out, and do the fowl a serious injury, and might 
(with the point) rip a hole in him that would bleed him 
to death; this must be guarded against. 

4. Very often the opposite second pretends not to 
know that his cock has stuck in the other; he immediately 
catches him up as high as he can reach, and nearly drags 
the head from the body of the other, or allows him to 
fall with great force on the pit. 

5. If a cock has but one eye he should not be pitted till 
the second is convinced that he sees his antagomst, but if 
the opposite second can, he will pit his one on the blind 
side; beware of that. 

6. Some have a trick of using foul spurs. These appear 
round on one side, but on the upper side, or that next the 
body of the cock, they are sharpened with an edge like a 
knife; others are three edged, or bayonet pointed, which 
are also foul; in fact, one cannot bo too particular in ex- 
amining the opponent's spurs, which, to be fair, should be 
perfectly round to the socket, and smooth or polished- 



THE GAME COCK 23 

7. When both cocks are so distressed that neither can 
scarcely hold up his head, and perhaps the one can no 
longer peck his antagonist, the second of this last men- 
tioned one, in setting him to with the other, beak to beak, 
raises his head with one hand, and, with the other, by 
suddenly raising his tail, bobs him on the other cock, and 
makes it appear as if he had chopped or pecked, when 
no such thing took place; this must be strictly watched 

8. If a cock, after having chopped, becomes so weak as " 
to be unable to do so again, his second, in pretending to 
set him to, beak to beak, with the other, only puts him 
near him, and allows his head to drop under the breast of 
the other, to prevent him from feeling him, who might 
chop in return and win the battle; they should always in 
the "long law" be put fairly beak to beak. 

9. If the opponent's cock is a good mouthed cock in 
distress — that is, one who will readily take hold and fight — 
his second will place his beak on the neck or shoulder of 
the other, which gives him a great advantage, if per- 
mitted, but is unfair and not admissible. 

10. The same person will sometimes have two cocks 
taken to the pit, one carried by himself and the other by 
his friend or some other person, who pretend to know 
nothing of each other. They then (to appearance) make 
up a match between the said two cocks, all the while well 
knowing which is to win, as the one is previously known 
to be bad and the other good; this is another system in 
betting, by which they deceive and rob the spectators, for 
they are then safe in betting any odds, and the long odds 
are generally taken. There are various tricks practised 
by such parties, but keen observation and second thoughts 
will avert them. 

11. A person will show a cock with particular marks 
and color, in full feather, which he matches against an- 
other equal in weight; he then retires to trim him for the 
fight, but returns with another, marked and colored like 
the first, but much larger, gaining by this manoeuvre a 
decided advantage; this is called "Ringing the changes." 

12. Sometimes they will rub the face of a sound, healthy 
cock, with flour and grease, cr chalk and grease, to make 



24 THE GAME COCK. 

him look stale, or with grease and blacking, to make him 
look rotten; at the same time he may be as good as any 
between "earth and sky." 

13. If the opposite party wish to gain an advantage in 
weight, they will first see your bird weighed; then one of 
them may take a two or four ounce weight, the hollow of 
which is filled with tallow grease, and stick it close to the 
bottom of the scale in which the proper weights are, un- 
seen, if possible; and by these means make their cock, 
which is two or four ounces heavier than the other, appear 
the same weight. The scales, therefore, should be nar- 
rowly examined, and even if you do not look up at the 
beam the slightest touch of a small stick, or the brim of 
a hat on some one's head, will make all the difference. 

14. The fowl or fowls of both parties should be weighed 
by the very same weights; for, if the least chance is afford- 
ed, false ones may be substituted. 

15. Cocks that are intended for battle should never be 
seen or touched by any one but the master or the feeder, 
otherwise you are never safe; for they might mix your 
cock's food with the victuals taken out of the crop of 
another almost dead with the roop. 

Cocks that are meant to fight by gas light should re- 
ceive the last meals by gas or candle light each day, about 
the hour appointed for the contest. 

16. Take great care who you allow to tie on the spurs, 
as they might be too tight, and cramp the cock, or loose, 
and come off. 






A FEW HINTS ON SPURS. 

One of the most important matters to be attended to 
is the gaffs, or spurs, as on these depend the issue of most 
contests. In the olden times the cock spur was made of 
silver, but for the past half century those made of steel 
have had the preference. There is a large variety of 
spurs in use, nearly every section of country varying more 
or less in size and style. The regulation spur governing 



, THE GAME COCK 25 

New York state measures one and a quarter inch from! 
the top rim of the socket to the extreme point of the 
blade, which is round, tapering to a fine point, and di-j 
verging from the socket outwards in a slight curve up-| 
wards. The spurs should be of the very best tempered 
steel, must be finely finished, and of such a quality as to 
stand being struck into hard wood without fear of break- 
ing. Very few understand properly the manufacturing 
of gaffs, and those sold by large importing houses of re- 
puted standing and integrity are, as a general thing, 
worthless, the material of which they are composed beiog 
little better than lead, and the sockets not half large 
enough to go over the natural heel. The style of gaff 
known as the drop socket is so called from the blade 
dropping downwards at the socket, and although con- 
sidered unfair is much in use all over this country. They 
are much more severe in execution and make shorter 
work of tne sport. There are also sword-blades, dia- 
mond blades, slashers and a variety of other spurs, some 
of them being from four to five inches in length. All of 
these are unfair, however, except in those parts where 
they are tolerated. 

For turn-outs, no longer than two inches and a half 
spurs should be used; for lesser ones, from two inches to 
two and a quarter; for cocks of four pounds four ounces, 
not more than two inches; and if under four pounds, one 
inch and a half, or shorter; for when they come to grap- 
pling in close quarters or in distress, a long spur is almost 
useless; it may do for a dash or two at the first onset, 
but not afterwards. i 



<* 



26 THE GAME COCK. 



ORIGIN OF DISEASES. 



Club foot is an ailing which generally shows itself in 
large fowls, and arises from flying off high places and 
causing too severe a jar. 

Rheumatism is noticed in fowls in mid-summer, after 
much damp and rainy weather, and sometimes comes from 
plunging them in water for the hatching fever. 

Pip is confined to young fowls during the hotter months, 
and is attributed to unclean food, dirty water, cold, damp 
localities, or from drinking rain water. 

Inflammation of the eye originates from exposure to 
cold and moist weather, attended with easterly winds. 

Costiveness arises from dry diet, without access to vege- 
tables — the latter they should always be furnished with. 
The chickens should be furnished with chick weed, ten- 
der grass, green cabbage, etc. 

Asthma is caused by obstruction of the air cells and an 
accumulation of phlegm, which interferes with the exer- 
cise of their function and causes them to labor for breath. 

Chicken pox is generally the result of fighting, when 
the head has been badly pecked. It will come sometimes 
without any apparent cause, and will affect a number at 
the same time. 

Cholera is a disease of recent introduction, and in some 
instances the fowl dies in less than an hour after it is at- 
tacked. Upon dissection the liver is found much enlarg- 
ed, and a sticky, slimy substance covers the surface. This 
slime everywhere appears to pervade the mucus mem- 
brane, and clogging up the air passages, produces death. 

Moulting, or shedding the feathers, is of annual occur- 
rence, and frequently requires treatment; after the third 
year, fowls moult later every succeeding year, and it is 
often as late as January before old fowls come into feather. 
The time of moulting continues according to age, health 
and weather, from six weeks to three months. 



THE GAME COCK. 27 



DISEASES AND THEIB, CURE. 

Abridged from Cooper's Work on Game Fowl. 



E O U P 

Symptoms. — Rising and falling of the wattle in breath- 
ing, whooping sound in the throat, offensive discharge 
from the nostrils, occasionally the head and eyes be- 
come swollen and feverish, which, if not attended to, 
will form matter in the eyes; this requires prompt 
attention or it will destroy the sight. 

Treatment. — Separate the fowl affected as above and 
put in a warm box with straw, changing the straw daily. 
Bathe head and throat with warm salted water, after 
which open the eyes and wash, with the end of a rag, 
saturated in the water. Give a pill composed of chalk and 
cayenne pepper, mixed equally, every morning. If a rat- 
tling in the throat, give one teaspoonful of cod liver oil 
every night.. After three or four days, if improved, tie 
the fowl by the leg and let it out in the sunshine, return- 
ing it to its warm box every night. 

CHOLERA. 

Symptoms. — A drooping of the wings, and a sticky 
slime in the mouth and throat. 

Treatment. — Give to the fowl affected with cholera one 
rpill every day, the size of a common marble, prepared of 
cayenne pepper two parts, prepared chalk two parts, pul- 
verized gentian one part, pulverized charcoal one part; 
mix all well together into a paste with lard. Keep the 
fowl dry and warm for forty-eight hours. Do not give 
water. As a preventive, make a paste of cayenne pepper 
one part, prepared chalk one part, pulverized gentian two 
parts, and pulverized charcoal two parts, mixed with lard. 



28 THE GAME COCK. 

In case the disease is in your neighborhood, give an or- 
dinary sized pill once a week to the grown fowls. 

PIP OE GAPES. 

Symptoms. — Gapes are formed from worms in the wind- 
pipe; the membrane of the tongue is thickened, particu- 
larly towards the windpipe, breathing is impeded, and 
the bill often held open, as if gasping for breath. 

Treatment. — Cut off the tip end of the tongue, give a 
small pill once a day, composed of prepared chalk and 
ground black pepper of equal proportions, and made into 
a paste with lard. When mixed, add a few drops of oil 
of wormseed, and mix it well with the paste. Pills of 
all kinds must be forced dovtn the throat. 

KHEUMATISM, OE LIFTS. 

Symptoms. — Stiffness of the limbs and joints, lifting 
the feet high, slow, and as if in pain, while others jerk by 
starts. 

Treatment. — Bathe the upper joint of the thigh with 
spirits or alcohol, dry it in well, then make an ointment 
of fish-worms, simmer them down in butter, then strain 
and grease the whole leg and thigh every day. Do not 
be content with a few trials of this remedy, but give it a 
fair chance. 

GOUT. 

This disease is generally confined to old fowls, and is 
known by swelling of the joints; it should be treated the 
same as rheumatism. 

CLUB FOOT. 

Treatment.-— Scarify the limb with a sharp knife or a 
scalpel, cut just through the skin, begin on the outside of 
the lump and let all the cuts run to the centre. Then 
scrape out all the coagulated blood that the tumor con- 
tains, and well cleaned, bring all the flaps to the centre; 
then double a strip of muslin four or five times; have it 
large enough to cover all the sole of the foot; place this 
over the flaps when brought together, then tie with nar- 
row strips of muslin or broad tape; bring it through the 
toes so as to have it well tied, or sewed fast above, which 



THE GAME COCK. 29 

is better. Secure it so that it cannot come off; let it re- 
main so for one or two weeks, then take it off and yon 
will find the foot nearly well. 

INFLAMMATION OF THE EYE. 

Symptoms. — Small abscesses are formed on the cornea, 
which are filled with a white colored pus. The eye be- 
comes inflamed, the lids swelling to a great extent, and a 
coagulable matter, like the white of an egg f accumulates 
beneath the swelling. 

Treatment. — Bathe the head and throat with hot salted 
water, then remove any pus that has accumulated in the 
eye, after which wash the eye out by holding the lids open 
and fill the eye up with fine table salt. Pour down the 
fowl's throat half teaspoonful of fine, dry, black pepper. 
Hepeat this treatmeat once a day, keeping the fowl in a 
warm, dry place, and place him in the sun for a few hours 
every day. 

INDIGESTION. • 

Treatment. — Exercise the fowl daily, give him less food 
and a large pill, made of Cayenne pepper one part, pre- 
pared chalk one part, pulverized gentian two parts, pul- 
verized charcoal two parts, mixed into a paste with lard. 
Feed with a baked cake composed of corn meal, crumbs 
of bread and egg soaked in good ale. 

COSTIYENESS. 

Treatment. — Give as much pulverized rhubarb as will 
lay on a two cent piece, to open the bowels. 

DIARRHOEA. 

Symptoms. — Diarrhoea resembles the yolk of a stale egg 
sticking to the feathers near the vent. 

Treatment. — Physic with pulverized rhubarb as much 
as will lay on a silver quarter. Then give daily for 
several days the following pill: — Prepared chalk three 
parts, cayenne pepper one part, pulverized gentian one 
part, pulverized charcoal one part, mixed with lard or 
butter. The pill should be the size of a common marble. 
Keep the fowl in a warm place for a few days, after which 
let him run at large in the sunshine. 



30 THE GAME COCK. 

OBSTRUCTIONS OF THE NOSTRIL. 

Symptoms. — When produced by fighting it forms a hard 
crust, and the fowl gasps for breath. 

Treatment. — Wash the head with wine, afterwards 
grease with sweet oil. 

CANKER 

Symptoms. — The mouth and inside of the bill has a 
very fetid smell; the canter substance is yellow. 

Treatment. — Scrape off all the yellow substance with a 
small stick, and if the fowl bleeds it will do no injury. 
Then rub with the thumb or forefinger the diseased 
parts with fine, dry table salt. Also, give the fowl half a 
teaspoonful of dry cayenne pepper inwardly. Repeat 
this process daily. 

ASTHMA. 

Treatment. — Physic with pulverized rhubarb, bathe the 
head with warm salt water, give a teaspoonful of vinegar 
every morning, and Half a teaspoonful of fine black pep- 
per at night. 

MELANCHOLY. 

Symptoms. — Want of appetite, drooping, etc. 

Treatment. — Physic with pulverized rhubarb, then give 
a cholera pill daily composed of cayenne pepper two 
parts, prepared chalk two parts, pulverized gentian one 
part, pulverized charcoal one part, mixed into a paste 
with lard, and occasionally half a teaspoonful of vinegar 
inwardly. For diet, give meal mixed with a little fennel 
seed, dragon's blood, and wet it with good draft ale. 

FEVER, 

Symptoms. — Redness of the eye, hot head, drooping, 
etc. 

Treatment.' — Give a little nitre in water, and physic with 
pulverized rhubarb. 

CONSUMPTION. 

Symptoms. — Hoarseness, sneezing, etc. 

Treatment. — They should be sheltered and well housed, 
and sometimes wrapped up in warm flannel; keep them 
near the fire until they liven up. 



JHE1GAME COCK. f$T 

LIMED LEGS. 

. Symptoms.^— The legs of the fowl have the appearance 
of their having be3n walking through wet lime, the 
whitish appearance increasing until the scales of the 
leg will raise up like large warts; the leg enlarges and 
gets rough to the touch, extending above the leg, in which 
locality the sMn looks inflamed and flabby, and the flesh 
falls away. 

Treatment — Grease the parts affected thoroughly, every 
second or third day, with sweet oil and spirits of turpen- 
tine (equal parts), well shaken before being used. 

CHICKEN POX 

I Symptoms. — Small specks scattered over the head and 
throat, which enlarge and spread all over the head and 
close the eyes. 

Treatment. — Physic with pulverized rhubarb, and grease 
the parts affected once a day with equal parts of sweet 
oil and spirits of turoentine, regardless of the eyes, as it 
will not hurt them. When ssabs .form, each day before 
applying the mixture, take a stick and scrape all the 
scabs off. Don't mind bleeding. After scraping off 
clean, grease the head and throat all over. Stuff the 
fowl once a day with warm milk and bread, and plenty 

. of pepper. 

MOULTING. 

Symptoms. — Loss of appetite, inactivity, moping and 
loss of feathers. 

Treatment. — Keep warm, feed well, and mix pulverized 
ginger with their food; give plenty of meat, and change 
frequently to induce appetite. 

LOSS OF FEATHEBS. 

Symptoms. — The same as in Moulting, except that the 
lost feathers are not supplied by new ones, and the bare 
skin is quite rough. 

Treatment. — Grease the parts affected with lard mixed 
in sulphur and gunpowder, also « apply swe3t oil and tur- 
pentine, equal parts, shake up before using. For diet, 
mix a little flour of snlphur and cayenne pepper with 
their food. A good walk, grass and fresh water are indis- 
pensable. 




COCK FIGHTING EXILES. 



NEW YOEK BULES. 

Aeticle 1. The pit shall be a circular pit, at least eighteen feet 
in diameter and not less than sixteen inches in height, the floor of 
which shall be covered with carpet or some other suitable material. 
There shall be a chalk or other mark made as near as can be to the 
centre of the pit. There shall also be two outer marks, which shall 
be one foot each way from the centre mark. 

2. The pitters shall each choose one judge, who shall choose a 
referee. Said judge shall decide all matters in dispute during the 
pendency of the fight, but, in case of their inability to agree, then 
it shall be the duty of the referee to decide, and his decision shall 
he final. - 

3. Chickens shall take their age from the 1st day of March, and 
shall be chickens during the following fighting season, to wit: — 
From the 1st day of March, 1873, to the 1st day of June, 1874. 

4. It shall be deemed foul for either of the respective pitters to 
pit a cock or chicken with what is termed a foul hackle — that is, any 
of the featners left whole on the mane or neck. 

5. The pitters shall let each cock bill each other three or more 
times, but this is not to be so construed that the pitter of a cock has 
a right to bill with his opponent's cock for the purpose of fatiguing 
him. 

6. No person shall be permitted to handle his fowl after he is fairly 
delivered in the pit, unless he counts ten, clear and distinct, without 
either cock making fight; or shall be fast in his adversary, or fast in 
the carpet, or hung in the web of the pit, or in himself. 



34 COjCK. RIGHTING RULES! 

,7.TA.ny'c6cl£Tthat7mdy v get r on;his uack^tne pitter thereof shall 
turn him off it,*but not take lnWoff the ground he is lying on. 

8. Whenever a cock is fast in his adversary, the pitter of the cock 
I" the spurs are fast in shall draw them out, but the pitter of a cock 
[ has no right to draw out his own spur, except when fast in himself, 
1 or in the carpet, or in the web of the pit. 

9. When either pitter shall have counted ten tens successively, 
without the cock refusing fight, making fight, again breasting them 
fair on their feet, breast to breast and beak to beak, on the centre 

I score or mark, on the fifth ten being told, and also on the ninth ten 
being told, shall have won the fight. The pitters are bound to tell 
each ten as they count them, as follows: — Once, twice, etc. 

10. No pitter, after the cocks have been delivered in the pit, shall 
be permitted to clean their beaks, or eyes, by blowing or otherwise, 
or of squeezing his fowl, or pressing him against the floor during the 
pendency of a fight, 

11. When a cock is pounded, and no person takes it until the pit- 
ter counts twenty twice, and calls three times "Who takes it?" and 
no person does take it, it is a battle to the cock the odds are on; but 
the pitter of the pounded cock has the right to have the pound put 
up, that is, twenty dollars against one ; should not this be complied 
with, then the pitter shall go on as though there was no poundage. 

12. If a cock is pounded and the poundage taken, and if the cock 
the odds are laid against should get up and knock down his adver- 
sary, then if the other cock is pounded and the poundage not taken, 
before the pitter counts twenty twice, and calls out "Who takes it?" 
three times, he wins, although Were was a poundage before. 

13. It shall be the duty of the respective pitters to deliver their 
cocks fair on their feet on the outer mark or score, facing each other, 
and in a standing position, except on the fifth ten being told; and 
also on the ninth ten being told, when they shall be placed on the 
centre score, breast to breast and beak to beak, in like manner. 
Any pitter being guilty of shoving his fowl across the score, or of 
pinching him, or using any other unfair means for the purpose of 
making his cock fight, shall lose the fight. 

14. If both cocks fight together, and then both should refuse 
until they are counted out, in such cases a fresh cock is to be hoveled 
and brought into the pit, and the pitters are to toss for which cock 
is to set to first; he that wins has the choice; then ihe one which 
is to set to last is to be taken up, but not carried out of the pit 
The hoveled cock is then to be put down to the other and let light, 
whilst the judges, or one of them, shall count.twenty and the other 
in like manner, and if one fight and the other refuse, it is a battle to 
the fighting cock; but if both fight or both refuse, it is a drawn 
battle. 

N. B. — This rule is rarely carried into effect, but any pitter can 
exact it if ho thinks proper to do so. 

15. If both cocks refuse fighting until four, five or more, or less 
tens are counted, the pitters shall continue their count until one 
cock has refused ten times; for when a pitter begins to count, he 
counts for both cccks. 

16. If a cock should die before they are counted out, if he fights 
last ho wins the battle ; this, however, is not to apply wh6n his ad- 
versary is running away 

17. The crowing or raising of the hackle of a cock is not fight, nor 
is fighting at the pitter's hands. 



COCK FIGHTING RULES. 35 

18. A breaking cock is a fighting cock, but a cock breaking from 
his adversary is not fight. 

19. If any dispute arises between the pitters on the result of a 
fight, the cocks are not to be taken out of the pit, nor the gaffs taken 
off until it is decided by the judges or referee. 

20. Each cock, within two ounces of each other, shall be a match; 
except blinkers when fighting against two-eyed cocks, an allowance 
from three to five ounces shall be made; when blinkers are matched 
against each other, the same rule to apply as to two-eyed cocks. 

21. All matches must be fought with heels, round from the socket 
to the point, not exceeding one end a quarter inches in length; 
unless' otherwise agreed upon. Drop Sockets, Cutters, Slashers and 
Twisted heels, shall be considered foul. 

22. Previous to heeling the cocks, in fighting mains, the four 
spurs, of same pattern and size, shall be placed together, and the 
pitteys shall toss for choice of them. 

23. In all mains, at the end of each battle, the judges shall order 
the spurs to be changed, i. e., the spurs of the winning cock to be 
placed on the loser's next fowl and changed at the end of every 
battle. 

24. Any person fighting a cock heavier than he is represented on 
the match list shall lose the fight, although he may have won. 

25. In all cases of appeal, fighting ceases until the judges or the 
referee give their decision, which shall be final and strictly to the 
question before them. 

26. When a bet is made, it cannot be declared off unless by con- 
sent of both'parties; all outside bets to go according to the mainbet. 

27. Each pitter when delivering his cock on the score shall take 
his hands off him as quickly as possible. 

28. Any person violating any of the above rules, shall be deemed 
to have lost the match. 



ALBANY (N. Y.) BULES. 

1. Each and every cock to be weighed before fighting, any cock 
exceeding the weight named, forfeits the match, two ounces always 
being given or taken. 

2. Cocks to be shown with long hackle, with fair inch and a quarter 
round, low socket heels. 

3. The crowing ot a cock or throwing up the hackle in the hands 
of the handler does not denote fight. 

4. The cocks to be picked and brought to the station and delivered. 

5. Cocks shall not be handled while fighting. 

6. The last cock showing fight is entitled to the count, which is 
five times ten, counted out loud when they are breasted. 

7. If either cock refuses fight, after the count of ten five times in 
succession, after being breasted the one that had the count counts 
thirty, and then twenty, when the other cock is counted oat. 

8. When a cock is pounded and not taken, the pitter counts 
twenty and that wins. 

9. If one cock is standing on another, neither cock, is to be touched 
while their feathers are touching — when free, if one cock is on his 



36 COCK FIGHTING RULES. 

back, or if his -wing is away from him, the handler can put his wing 
under him, but not to put him on his feet. 
10. The referee's decision to be final in all cases. 



WESTEKN NEW YOEK KULES. 



1. The pit shall be at least twelve feet in diameter and ten inche3 
in height. A chalk mark in the centre, and two outer marks 
eighteen inches from the centre. 

2. The handlers shall choose a judge to decide all matters in dis- 
pute during the fighting. In all cases of appeal the fighting ceases 
until the judge gives his decision, which shall be final. If any dis- 
pute arises between the pitters the cocks are not to be taken from 

' the pit, nor the spurs taken off until it is decided by the judge. 

3. Cocks within two ounces are a match, except blinkers, when 
three to five ounces should be allowed. 

4. The spurs shall be one and a quarter inch, round head, lair 
from socket to point, to be changed every fight. 

5. The pitters shall deliver their cocks fair on their feet on the 
outer mark, excepting the first scoring, which should be at least 
four feet from the centre score. 

6. When one cock ha3 refused to fight, the pitter of the fighting 
cock shall count ten clear and distinct, and appeal to the judge for 
a count. If allowed, he will count five tens, naming and scoring at 
each ten at the outer score. At the fifth ten they will breast at the 
centre, and the pitter of the cock that has the count shall count 
twenty and win the figiit. 

7. If during a count both cocks refuse to fight, the pitter of the 
cock fighting last shall be entitled to the count. The judge shall 
decide who is entitled to the count if both pitters claim the count. 

8. If a cock fights last, he wins the fight even should he die be- 
fore the count is out. A cock picking is a fighting cock, excepting 
on the fifth ten being told, when he must be a breaking cock to 
break the count. A fighting cock does not break his own count. 

9. A pitter is not allowed to handle his cock after he is delivered 
without counting ten clear and distinct, and one cock refusing to 
fight. The judge shall overlook a small error, and to the best of his 
knowledge let the best cock win. 

10. Any pitter guilty of squeezing his bird, or shoving him across 
the score, or taking feathers from or sucking or wiping his beak, 
shall be deemed foul handling, and if claimed he shall lose the 
fight. 

11. The birds shall be weighed before leaving the pit, before or 
after the fight, as agreed upon. If the winner is heavier than the 
match list provides, he loses. Two ounces over check weight is a 
match. 

12. The poundage shall be twenty to one. The pitter of the cock 
pounding shall count twenty twice, at the end of which he shall say, 

Who takes? three times. The money shall be put in the pit; if not 
taken he wins ; if taken he shall count five tens, as usual. A cock 
can be pounded five times ; if taken once he can pound him again, 



COCK FIGHTING RULES. 21 

the odds and taken money to be handed to the judge by one of the 
pitters. 

13. A cock pounded, if he in turn has recovered, can pound the 
cock that the odds were first on. 

14. The birds shall, if hackled, be sure to have no foul hackle. 

15. A cock on his back can be turned over by his handler, but not 
on his side. The handler can only handle his bird without asking 
the judge when he is fast in himself or in the pit. The judge 
should say quickly, when they are fast in each other : Handle I 

16. The judge's decision in all cases is to be final. 

17. A cock running away cannot win. If both run, they shall be 
tried by a fresh cock; if one fights and the other does not, the fight- 
ing cock wins; if both refuse, the fight shall be declared a draw. 

18. Any violation of the above rules loses the fight. 



BOSTON (MASS.) EULES. 

1. All fowls brought to the pit must be weighed and marked down, 
for those to see that have fowls to fight. 

2. Fowls within two ounces are a match. 

3. A stag is allowed four ounces when he fights against a cock. 

4. A blinker is allowed four ounces when he fights against a sound 
fowl. 

5. Fowls being ready, brought to pit.' 

6. Each man takes his station and sets his fowl to the right or 
left, as he pleases; there remains till the fowls are in one another, 
or in the tan, or on his back. 

7. The handler shall not assist his fowl from where he sits him; 
if he does, he forfeits the battle 

8. In no case shall they handle the fowls, unless they are in one 
another, or can count ten between fighting. 

9. The fowls in hand, each man to his station; either oounting 
ten, the fowls must be set, or the delinquent loses the match. 

10. The fowls set, either refuses to show fight, the last that 
showed has the count, which is five times ten, and then they are 
breasted. 

11. The fowls are breasted at every five times ten, after once be- 
ing breasted. 

12. The fowls brought to the breast, the one that had the count 
counts five times ten more, and then twenty— then he claims the 
"battle, which is his. 

13. In case the fowls show while counting, it destroys the count, 
and they commence again. 

14 In case a fowl is on his back, his handler can turn him over. 

15. In all cases the parties can select judges from the company 
present. 

16. In no case shall any person talk with the handlers while the 
fowls are fighting. 

17. All weighing will be left to a man selected for the purpose. 

18. All matches will be fought with round heels, unless otner- 
wise agreed upon. . A 



38 COCK FIGHTING RULES. 

19. A man known to use any other, unless agreed upon, forfeits 
the battle. 

20. All cutters, slashers and twisted heels are barred from the 
pit. 

21. In all cases the last fowl that shows fight has the count. 

22. All fowls brought to the pit that do not show fight, do not 
lose the battle, unless otherwise agreed upon. 



BAX.TIMOKE (MD.) EULES. 

1. All birds shall be weighed, give or take two ounces, shall be a 
match or otherwise, if parties see fit to make it so. 

2. When a stag is matched against a cock, the stag will be en- 
titled to four ounces advance in weight. Blinkers are allowed four 
ounces when fighting against two-eyed cocks. 

3. The handlers shall eacn choose one judge, who shall choose a 
referee; said judges shall decide all matters in dispute during the 
pendency of the fight. But in case of their inability to agree, then 
it shall be the duty of the referee to decide, and his decision shall 
be final. 

4. Thirty seconds (or a count of fifteen by the judge or referee, 
as the handlers may agree) shall be allowed between each and every 
round. 

5. It shall be the duty of the referee to keep time between the 
rounds, and notify the handlers to get ready at twenty-five seconds, 
call time at thirty seconds, when the handlers must be prompt in 
piting their cocks, and if either handler refuse to do so he shall 
lose the fight. 

6. It shall be fair for handlers to pull feathers and sling blood, or 
any other thing to help the bird between handlings. 

7. It shall be foul for A or B to touch their birds while fighting, 
unless one is fast to the other, but if a bird should unfortunately 
fasten himself with his own heel it shall be fair to handle, but on 
no other consideration, and either handler violating or deviating 
from the above rules shall lose his fight. 

8. In counting, the bird showing fight last shall be entitled to the 
count. 

9. The handlers shall pit their birds in their respective places 
when time is called, and the handler having the count shall count 
ten, then handle two more successive times and count ten each time. 
When time is called again, the birds shall be placed in the centre of 
the pit, breast to breast and beak to beak, and twenty more counted, 
and if the bird not having the count refuse to fight, the one having 
it shall be declared the winner. 

10. It shall be the duty of the respective handlers to deliver their 
birds fair on their feet at each pitting, on the mark or score facing 
each other and in a standing position. 

11. A peck or blow at the opponent's bird, and not at his handler, 
will be considered fighting. 

12. When time is called, the handlers must let go their birds 
from their respective places, fair and square; for it shall be foul for 



COCK FIGHTING RULES. 39 

either handler to pitch or toss his bird upon his opponent's, and 
either one violating the above rale shall lose his fight. 

13. If both birds fight together, and then if both should refuse, 
they are to be pitted at the outer score twice, and then breasted on 
the centre score, breast to breast and beak to beak, in a standing 
position ; in this case the birds are to lay in the pit thirty seconds 
at each pitting, and at the last pitting, if both should refuse, it is a 
drawn battle. 

14. In the case of a bird that dies, if he fights last and his hand- 
ler has the count he wins the battle. 

15. Whenever a bird is fast in his adversary, the handler of the 
bird the spurs are fast in shall draw them out, but the handler of a 
bird has no right to draw out his own spur except when fast in him- 
self, or in the floor, or in the web of the pit. 

16. The greasing, peppering or soaping a cock, or any other ex- 
ternal applications, are unfair practices, and by no means admissible 
in this amusement. 

17. The handlers are to give the birds room to fight, and not to 
hover and press on them so as to retard their striking. 

18. Any person fighting a bird heavier than he is represented on 
the match list, shall lose the fight although he may have won. 

19. In all cases of appeal, fighting ceases until the judges, or the 
referee, give their decision, which shall be final and strictly to the 
question before them. 

20. Each handier, when delivering his bird on the score, shall 
take his hands off him as quickly as possible. 

21. No handler shall touch his bird unless at the times mentioned 
in the foregoing rules. 

22. If any dispute arises between the handlers on the result of the 
fight, the birds are not to be taken out of the pit, nor the gaffs 
taken off until it is decided by the judges or referee. 

23. It shall be the duty of the judges and referee to watch all 
movements of the fights, and judge according to the above rules. 

24. When a bet is made it cannot be declared off unless by con- 
sent of both parties, all outside bets to go according to the main bet. 

25. Any person violating any of the above rules shall be deemed 
to have lost the match. 



VIRGINIA OR SOUTHERN RULES. 



Aeticle 1. On the morning the main is to commence, the parties 
decide by lot who shows first. It is to be remembered that the 
party obtaining choice generally chooses to weigh first, and, con- 
sequently, obliges the adverse party to show first, as the party 
showing first weighs last. When the show is made by the party, 
the door of the cock house is to be locked, and the key given to 
the other party, who immediately repairs to his cock house and 
prepares for weighing. There ought to be provided a pair of good 
scales, and weights as low down as half an ounce. One or two 
judges to be appointed to weigh the cocks. Each party, by weigh- 
ing the cocks intended for the show a day or two beforehand, and 
having all their respective weights, would greatly facilitate the 



40 COCK FIGHTING RULES. 

business of the judges. There should be two writers to take 
down the colors, weights, marks, &c, of each cock. There ought 
to be no feathers cut or plucked from the cocks before they are 
brought to the scale, except a few from behind to keep them 
clean, and their wings and toil clipped a little. 

2. As soon as the cocks are all weighed, the judge, the writers 
and principals of each party, and as many besides as the parties 
may agree on, are to retire for the purpose of matching. They 
are to make all even matches first, then those within one ounce, 
and afterwards those within two ounces ; but if more matches can 
be made by breaking an even or one ounce match, it is to be 
done. 

3. On the day of the showing only one battle is to be fought. 
It is to be remembered that the party winning the show gains 
also the choice of fighting this first battle with any particular 
cocks in the match; afterwards they begin with the lightest pair 
first, and so en up to the heaviest, fighting them in rotation, as 
they increase in weight. This first battle, too, will fix the mode 
of trimming. 



RULES TO BE OBSEKVED ON THE PIT. 



1. When the cocks are on the pit, the judges are to examine 
whether they answer the description taken in the match bill, 
and whether they are fairly trimmed and have on fair heels. If all 
be right and fair, the pitters are to deliver their cocks six feet 
apart (or thereabouts), and retire a step or two back; but if a 
wrong cock should be produced, the party so offending forfeits that 
battle. 

2. All heels that are round from the socket to the point are al- 
lowed to be fair; any pitter bringing a cock on the pit with any 
other kind of heels, except by particular agreement, forfeits the 
battle. 

3. If either cock should be trimmed with a close, unfair hackle, 
the judge shall direct the other to be cut in the same manner; and 
at that time shall observe to the pitter that if he brings another 
cock in the like situation, unless he shall have been previously 
trimmed, he shall forfeit the battle. 

4. A pitter, when he delivers his cock, shall retire two paces back, 
and not advance or walk round his cock, until a blow is passed. 

5. An interval of ten minutes shall be allowed between the 
termination of one battle and the commencement of another. 

6. No pitter shall pull a feather out of a cock's mouth, nor from 
over his eyes or head, or pluck him by the breast, to make him 
fight, or pinch him for the like purpose, under penalty of forfeiting 
the battle. 

7. The pitters are to give their cocks room to fight, and are not to 
hover or press on them, so as to retard them Irom striking. 

8. Greasing, peppering, muffing and soaping a cock, or any other 
external application, are unfair practices, and by no means admis- 
sible in this amusement. 

9. The judge, when required, may suffer a pitter to call in a few 
of his friends to assist in catching his cock, who are to retire im- 



COCK FIGHTING RULES. 41 

mediately as soon as the cock is caught, and in no other instance 
is the judge to suffer the pit to be broken. 

10. All cocks on their backs are to be immediately turned over on 
their bellies, by their respective pitters, at all times. 

11. A cock, when down, is to have a wing given to him, if he 
needs it, unless his adversary is on it, but his pitter is to place the 
wing gently in its proper position, and not to lift the cock, and no 
wing is to be given unless absolutely necessary. 

12. If either cock should be hanged in himself, in the pit or can- 
vas, he is to be loosed by his pitter, but if in his adversary, both 
pitters are immediately to lay hold of their respective cocks, and 
the pitter whose cock is hung shall hold him steadily whilst the ad- 
verse party draws out Iftie heel, and then they shall take their cocks 
asunder a sufficient distance for them fairly to renew the combat. 

13. Should the cocks separate, and the judge be unable to decide 
which fought last, he shall, at his discretion, direct the pitters to 
carry their cocks to the middle of the pit, and deliver them beak to 
beak, unless either of them is blind, in which case they are to be 
shouldered; that is, delivered with their breasts touching, each pit- 
ter taking care to deliver his cock at this, as well as at all other 
times, with one hand. 

14. When both cocks cease fighting, it is then in the power of" the 
pitter of the last fighting cock, unless they touch each other, to de- 
mand a count of the judge, who shall count 40 deliberately, which, 
when counted out, is not to be counted again during the battle. 
Then the pitters shall catch their cocks, and carry them to the mid- 
dle of the pit, and deliver them beak to beak, but to be shouldered 
if either of them is blind, as before. Then, if either cock refuses or 
neglects to fight, the judge shall count ten, and shall call out "once 
refused, "and shall direct the pitters to bring their cocks again to 
the middle of the pit, and put to as before; and if the same cock in 
like manner refuses, shall count ten again and call out "twice re- 
fused," and so proceed until one cock thus refuses 6 times succes- 
sively. The judge shall then determine the battle against such 
cock. 

15. If either cock die before the judge can finish the counting of 
the law, the battle is to be given to the living cock, and if both die 
the longest liver wins the battle. 

10. The pitters are not to touch their cocks whilst the judge is in 
the act of counting. 

17. No pitter is ever to lay hold of his adversary's cock unless to 
draw out the heel, and then he must take him below the knee. 
Then there shall be no second delivery; that is, after he is once de- 
livered, he shall not be touched until a blow is struck, unless or- 
dered by the judge. 

18. No pitter shall touch his cock, unless at the times mentioned 
in the foregoing rules. 

19. If any pitter acts contrary to these rules, the judge, if called 
on at the time, shall give the battle against him. 



NEW OKLEANS (LA.) KULES. 

. 1. All birds shall be weighed; give or take two ounces shall be a 
match or otherwise, if parties see fit to make it so. 



42 COCK FIGHTING RULES. 

2. All heels to be fought with, shall be round from socket to a 
point, or as near so as can be made. 

3. When a stag is matched against a cock the stag will be entitled 
to four ounces advance in weight. 

4. It shall be fair for handlers to pull feathers and sling blood, or 
any other thing to help the bird between handli n gs. 

5. It shall be foul for A or B to touch their birds while fighting, 
unless one is fast to the other, but if a bird should unfortunately 

. fasten himself with his own heel, it shall be fair to handle, but on 
no other consideration, and either handler violating or deviating 
from the above rule shall lose his fight. 

6. Thirty seconds shall be allowed between each and every round. 

7. In counting, the bird showing fight last shall be entitled to the 
count, but if his handler refuse to take the count, the opposite 
hancler shall be entitled to it. 

8. The handler having the count shall pit his bird in his respec- 
tive place when time is called, and count ten, then handle three 
more successive times ; when time is called again the birds shall be 
placed in the centre of the pit, breast to breast, and forty more 
counted, and if the bird not having the count refuse to fight, the one 
having it shall be declared the winner. 

9. *\ peck or blow at the opponent's bird, and not at his handler, 
will be considered fighting. 

10. When time is called, the handlers must let go their birds from 
their respective places, fair and square, for it shall be loul for either 
handler to pitch or toss his bird upon his opponent's, and either one 
■violating the above rule shall lose his fight. 

11. Each party shall choose a judge, and the judges choose a dis- 
interested party as a referee. No referee will be competent who has 
bet on either side, or is otherwise interested. 

12. It shall be the duty of the judges and referee to watch all 
movements of the fight, and judge according to the above rules. 
The referee will be confined to the opinions of the judges only, and 
his decision is final. 

13. It shall bo the duty of the referee to keep time between the 
rounds and notify the handlers to get ready at twenty-five seconds, 
then call time at thirty seconds, when the handlers must be prompt 
in pitting their birds, and if either handler refuse to do so, he shall 
lose his fight. 



DETROIT (MICH.) RULES. 

Buxe 1. All birds shall be weighed. Give or take two oz. shall 
be a match. 

2. When a stag is matched against a cock, the stag shall be al- 
lowed five ounces the advantage. 

I 3. All birds shall be cut out and deprived of their hackle or glossy 
feathers. 
1 4. Gaffs, spurs or heels must be round from socket to p int. 

5. It shall be fair for handlers to pull feathers and sling blood. 

6. It shall be foul for A or B to touch their birds while fighting, 
unless one is fast to the other. But if a cock should unfortunately 



COCK FIGHTING RULES. 43 

fasten himself -with his own heels, it shall be fair to handle, but on 
no other consideration, and either handler violating or deviating 
from the above rule shall lose his fight. 

7. The longest liver, when both cocks are mortally wounded, shall 
be declared the winner. 

8. Thirty seconds shall be allowed between each and every round. 

9. In counting, the bird showing fight last shall be entitled to the 
count, but if the handler does not take the count, the opposite 
handler shall be entitled to take it. 

10. The handler having the count shall count ten and pit his bird 
in his respective place, and count ten again, and so on until he has 
counted forty, then the birds must be piled breast to breast, and he 
must count forty, and the battle is over unless the opposite bird 
shows fight by making a peck, which breaks the count, and the fight 
proceeds. 

11. . When time is called the handlers must let go their birds from 
their respective places fair and square, for it shall be foul for either 
handler to toss or pitch his bird upon his opponent's, and either 
xiolating the above rule shall lose the fight. 

12. Each party shall choose a judge, and the judge shall choose a 
disinterested person, who shall be styled the referee. No person 
shall be considered competent to act as referee if it be known that 
he has bet one cent, more or less, on the match or matches. 

13. It shall be the duty of the judges to watcfii the motions of the 
handlers, and, if anything foul occurs, they must appeal to the 
referee, and his decision must be final; however, it will be the duty 
of the referee to notice all complaints from the judges only, and, 
after due consideration, his decision must be given in strict accord- 
ance with the above rules. 

14. It shall be the duty of the referee to call time between the 
rounds, and at the call of time the handlers must be prompt, and if 
either handler refuses to obey he shall lose his fight. 



SAN FRANCISCO (CAL.) RULES. 

1. "When the cocks are brought to the pit the pitters enter the 
same, and no other person or persons shall be admitted within its 
limits. The pitters then proceed to examine the cocks and see that 
they have on fair heels. Secondly, that neither of the parties have 
resorted to the unmanly and foul practice of greasing, soaping, pep- 
pering, or making any other external application, all of which are 
foul and inadmissible. 

2. All things being right and fair, the pitters shall deliver their 
cocks fairly on their feet upon the score, and then retire one or two 
steps, and not move their hands or walk around their cocks until a 
blow is struck, then they may approach their cocks for the purpose 
of handling them when they hang, but they are not to hover over 
the cocks so as to retard or prevent them from making a blow, and 
if either cock refuses to make fight, it shall then be considered no 
match. 

3. When the cocks are hanged the pitters shall lay hold of their 



44 COCK FIGHTING RULES. 

respective cocks, and the party whose cock is hanged shall hold him 
steadily while the reverse party draws the heel, nor shall either 
party cause, in any manner, unnecessary injury or punishment while 
the heels are being extracted, and as soon as the cocks are freed 
they shall again be delivered on the score. 

4. All cocks hanged in the canvas, ground, or in themselves, shall 
be loosened by their respective pitters at all times. 

5. When one or both cocks are hanged, it is necessary to handle 
them and deliver them at the score, so they may renew the combat 
fairly. 

6. When the cocks are put to, if either cock refuses to fight, the 
other pitter has a right to the count, when he proceeds to count 
forty deliberately, which, when counted, is not to be counted again 
during that battle. 

7. Should either or both cocks, after being delivered, not make 
fight, the pitter whose cock fought last shall be entitled to the count, 
when he shall count deliberately six times ten, and at every count 
they shall both handle and deliver their cocks on the score. On the 
third and sixth count they shall deliver their cocks breast to breast, 
and if on the sixth count, after being so delivered, they do not make 
fight, the pitter having the count shall have won the fight. 

8. If in counting the law the other cock makes fight, that breaks 
the.count, and if he is the last fighter he is entitled to the count; 
but one must refuse or neglect to make fight six successive times be- 
fore the battle can be decided against him. 

9. If either or both cocks die before the pitters finish counting 
the law, the fight shall be awarded to the last fighting cock. 

10. Neither pitter shall be allowed i;o touch or handle his cock 
while counting the law. 

11. No pitter shall be allowed to suck or sling blood from his 
cock's throat or mouth, nor pluck feathers from over his eyes or out 
of his mouth. 

12. All cocks lying on their backs shall be turned on their bellies 
by their respective pitters, at all times, provided the other cock is 
not standing on him. If his pitter neglect or refuse to turn him, 
it is then admissible for the other pitter to turn him gently on his 
belly. 

13. All cocks shall have a wing given them, provided the other is 
not upon it. In giving the wing it is to be placed gently by his 
side, without raising the cock or helping him on his feet. 

14. When both cocks break together, and the pitters and judges 
are unable to decide which fought last, or when both are hanged in 
each other, it shall be the duty of the judges to order them to the 
score ; then if both ref use to fight, the pitters shall count the law, 
and have them put to as if the count were actually going on; and if 
neither make fight before the count is finished the fight shall be pro- 
nounced drawn. 

15. Any pitter acting contrary to the foregoing rules forfeits the 
battle. 



CANADIAN KULES. 

Rule 1. All birds shall be weighed, give or take two ounces, shall 
be a match or otherwise, if parties see fit to make it so. 



COCK FIGHTING RULES. 45 

; 2. All heels to be fought -with shall be round, from socket to point, 
or as near as can be made. 

3. When a stag is matched against a cock, the stag will be entitled 
to four ounces advance in weight. 

4. It shall be fair for handlers to pull feathers and sling blood, or 
any other thing to help the bird between handlings. 

5. It shall be foul tor A or B to touch their birds while fighting, 
unless one is fast to the other, but if a bird should unfortunately 
fasten himself with his own heel, it shall be fair to handle, but on no 
other consideration, and either handler violating or deviating from 
the above rule shall lose his fight. 

6. Thirty seconds shall be allowed before each and every round. 

7. In counting, the bird showing fight last shall be entitled to the 
count, but if his handler refuses to take the count, the opposite 
handler shall be entitled to it. 

8. The handler having the count shall pit his bird in his respec- 
tive place when time is called, and count ten, then handle three 
more successive times; when time is called again, the birds shall be 
placed in the centre of the pit, breast to breast, and forty more 
counted, and if the bird nob having the count refuses to fight, the 
one having it shall be declared the winner. 

9. A peck or blow at the opponent's bird, and not at his handler, 
will be considered fighting. 

10. When time is called the handlers must let go their birds from 
their respective places, fair and square, for it shall be foul for either 
handler to pitch or toss his bird upon his opponent's, and either one 
violating the above rule shall lose his fight. 

11. Each party shall choose a judge, and the judges choose a 
disinterested party as a referee. No referee will be competent who 
has bet on either side, or is otherwise interested. 

12. It shall be the duty of the judges and referee to watch all 
movements of the fight, and judge according to the above rules. 
The referee will be confined to the opinions of the judges only, and 
his decision final. 

13. It shall be the duty of the referee to keep time between the 
rounds, and notify the handlers to get ready at twenty-five seconds, 
then call time at thirty seconds, when the handlers must be prompt 
in pitting their birds; and if either handler refuses to do so, he shall 
lose his fight. 




KEHOE'S CLUBS. 

5 lbs. each, per pair . .$3 50 

6 lbs. each, per pair . . 3 50 

7 and 8 lbs. each, pr pr.4 00 
10 lbs. each, per pair . . 5 00 
12 lbs. each, per pair . . 6 00 
15 lbs. each, per pair .. 8 00 
20 lbs. each, per pair. . 10 00 

\ 25 lbs. each, per pair. . 15 00 

DUMB BELLS. 

Iron, from I lb. to 100 lbs. 

each, per lb 12c. 

Maple Wocd, pr lb,, each . 30c. 
Lignumvitae, per lb., each.soc. 



BOXING GLOVES, 

Domestic and Imported. 



Mixed hair, tan hands ... .$4 50 
Curled hair, superior tan 

hands, buckskin fingers. 5 00 
Heel padded, ditto 6 50 



Buckskin hds., heel pad'd. $7 50 
The very best imported 

Gloves, per set 10 00 

A set includes four Gloves. 



PATENT STRIKING BAG, 

For Pugilists and Athletes of Every Description. 

This bag is intended to strengthen the arms, wrists, shoulders, 
back, loins, and particularly the muscles of the abdomen, and will 
teach the striker how to deal a blow. 

No. 4, 20 lbs., covered with English canvas $12 00 

No. 5, 25 lbs., covered with English canvas 15 00 

No, 1, 20 lbs., covered with buff leather 20 00 




STEEL SPURS, 

Manufactured to Order Any Style or 
Length. 

BEST TEMPERED STEEL AND FINISH. 

Regulation Spurs, per pair $5 00 

Drop Socket Spurs, per pair 6 50 

Send P. O. Order or Registered Letter, 
for safety. Address 



fife id jgj ED. JAJVEES, 



> and 00 Centre street, If. Y., 

New tobk Clipper Bum>ixa.; 




DOG FIGHTING RULES. 

Together with a valuable and reliable treatise on training 

Dogs for the pit 50 cts. 

DOG COLLARS. 

German Silver and Brass Collars, with locks, from. $1 25 to $5 00 



MUZZLES, STEEL CHAINS, ETC. 




SKATING RULES. 

Together with the movements governing championship and 

other matches 25 cts. 

SKATES, SKATE SHARPENERS AND STRAPS. 

Skates, from "...".'".'.". f. .' $1 00 to $10 00 

Skate Sharpeners, each 1 °° 

Straps, from 50 cts. up. 

"NATIONAL TROTTING ASSOCIATION RULES, 50c. 
AMERICAN RACING RULES, 50c. 

(FOR SALE BY 

'ED: JAMES, 

, SSI and 90 Centre street, IN". Y., 

NEW YORK CLIPPER BUILDING. 



HORSE PICTURES. 

SPLENDID COLORED LITHOGRAPHS, SIZE 14x18. 

Ethan Allen & Mate, Goldsmith Maid, Flora Temple, 

Dexter, Lady Thorn, Henry, 

Lucy, Dutchman, Harry Bassett, 

American Gill, Hambletonian, Longfellow, 

PRICE 30 CTS. EACH, OR THE SET OF 12 FOR $3. 
Sent to any part of the United States or British Provinces. 

STANDARD SPORTING BOOKS. 

The Dog in Health and Disease, comprising the va- 
rious modes of breaking and using him for Hunting, 
Coursing, Shooting, etc., by Stonehenge $5 50 

Fistiana ; or, The Oracle of the Ring. Containing 
results of prize battles from 1700 down to the present ; 
also Rules of the Ring and a Treatise on Sparring, Wres- 
tling and Training 2 50 

The Trotting Horse of America, how to train and 

drive him, by Hiram Woodruff. 2 50 

Collier's Manual of Cage Birds 50 

Hints to Horse-keepers on Breeding, Buying, Break- 
ing, Using, Feeding and Physicing Horses, by Frank 
Forester 2 oo 

American Hoyle; or, Gentleman's Hand-book of 
Games. Containing clear and complete descriptions of 
all the games played in the United States, with the Amer- 
ican rules for playing them, and is profusely illustrated 
with engravings explaining the different games. i2mo, 
cloth 2 25 

How Gamblers Win; or, The Secrets of Advantage 
Playing Exposed. Being a complete and scientific ex- 
pose of the manner of playing all the various advantages 
in oards 50 

One Hundred Tricks with Cards, by a Reformed 

Gambler 50 

Any of the above pictures or books will be sent, pre-paid by mail, 
on receipt of price. Address 

ED. JAMES, 

88 AND 90 CENTRE STREET, N. Y. 

KEW YORK CUPPER BCILDIXO. 



003 042 435 9 




